Tears and therapy

The past week and a half have been a time of tears and reflection for my family.  I've mentioned before that my father's health has been declining and on April 7th, he passed peacefully in the night.
Losing a parent is never easy and although it has been hard , it also has been comforting to know it is what he would have wanted given his recent health struggles.  We had to move him into an adult foster home less than a month before his passing and in his moments of clarity, he would always ask...whose crazy idea was this?  It is comforting to know he is at rest and in a much better place.  I just never foresaw his being gone so soon...

While I have been grieving,  I found it easier to cope by staying busy, followed closely by spending money... retail therapy is so satisfying and then finally getting back to some sewing therapy.  The result of all that is a new wardrobe, the roof ripped off our deck and a gazebo from Lowes in it's place on the deck, new umbrella for the table on the deck, new cushions and pillows  and repainted chairs for the deck and some new planters with new plants for the deck.  When all is done I should have a refreshing new place in the backyard to relax and feel at peace in.  The new scheme is a peaceful blue and green instead of the rust colors I've lived with for far too long.  We also bought a fabulous new fire pit for the yard...one that has a grill like the one that we used at Mount Rainier at our favorite camping spot...Cougar Campground.  There will be a whole lot more work to do to install it which will distract me as the whole back yard is up for a remodel at the same time.  We have been so busy being involved in my dad and stepmom's lives for the past year that our place has fallen into a huge mess....maybe too much time spending quilting is the cause of some of all those weeds but it's time to put my house back into a place I can find comfort and peace...once some of the work is done that is.

Once I found time for a little sewing therapy, here is what I have accomplished.  I busted out my quilt block for the In the Garden BOM that Janeen has at Quilt Art Designs.  You can find her free pattern here this month and then it will be available for a small fee.  I LOVE how this one turned out, it seems these blocks just get better every month.  It has a ton of pieces to it but it is one of those patterns that really goes together effortlessly.

The vibrant colors of the sunflower just POP so nicely out from the low volume background.  I love how the birds are looking at the sunflowers.  You can just imagine them loving the free lunch they represent to them.  My favorite color being yellow might just add to the overall pleasure I get from looking at this beauty!

After that, I wanted to knock out the row for the Quilt Doodle Design 2014 BOM.  This month Cindy has us making a row of stars for our sky.  The row went together very fast.  It helped that I broke down and bought the 2 1/2 inch Accuquilt Go die that cuts 9, plus it can cut 4 to 6 layers of fabric at a time, which makes cutting 36 to 54 pieces at a time a snap and I figured this quilt would definitely put this die to good use.  It's not to late to join in on this one it is going to make a fantastic quilt.  You can find out more about it here along with how to get the April pattern.

Now I'm working on the medallion quilt for the PMQG quilt top.  This month has us piecing 24 ---4 inch blocks and it is taking it's toll on me.  I am really playing with the colors in the X blocks we are making for it and I have gotten the colors wrong more than once.  I hate re-doing blocks but have had no choice so it's forcing me to slow down and get it right the first time.  I have it half done but am not ready to share it yet so hopefully I will get it done before the Portland Modern Quilt Guild meeting this Thursday and have it ready to post about soon.

Keep Stitchin'